"Difficulty caring for my child at QMC"

As the nurses are stretched beyond belief, there are occasions when I am unable to go to the toilet or sleep due to the demanding needs of my child. She has special needs where she has little understanding but is mobile. She never sleeps at night and therefore in a 24 hour period, I manage without sleep until my husband comes to care for her. With only 2 nurses on the night shift, and often one of them busy admitting other children during the night, no-one is there to help or take turns so that I can sleep. My child often needs oxygen but takes the mask off, so all night I have to stand by her bed holding the mask in place. I wouldn't be able to leave her in hospital as the lack of staff would not meet her needs. There is no provision available for special needs children in special circumstances such as this.